Tallow is a natural, versatile fat that has played an essential role in homesteading for generations. Learning how to use tallow can help beginner homesteaders become more self-sufficient while making the most of available resources. Whether crafting skincare products, making candles, or cooking, tallow provides a sustainable and practical alternative to synthetic and processed fats.
What is Tallow?
Tallow is rendered beef fat made by slowly melting beef suet to separate the pure fat from impurities. Once cooled, it becomes a solid fat with a creamy texture and a long shelf life. Homesteaders have used tallow for cooking, skincare, and household goods for centuries.
Tallow vs. Lard
Tallow and lard are animal fats but come from different sources. While tallow comes from beef or mutton fat, lard comes from pork fat.
Tallow has a higher smoke point, making it ideal for frying and roasting. Its firmer texture at room temperature makes it a better choice for soap, candles, and balms.
How to Store Tallow
Proper storage keeps the tallow fresh and ready to use. Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month.
For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for several months or freeze it in small portions to extend its shelf life. Keeping tallow in a cool, dark place helps prevent rancidity.
The History of Tallow in Homesteading
Homesteaders have relied on tallow for cooking, preserving food, and making household essentials for generations. Pioneer used tallow to waterproof leather, lubricate machinery, and create long-burning candles.
Before commercial skincare products, tallow was an effective moisturizer and healing balm. Bringing tallow back into daily life connects homesteaders with these time-tested, sustainable practices.
The Basics of Rendering Tallow
Rendering tallow at home lets you control the quality and avoid unnecessary additives. Here's a brief overview of how to render tallow at home.
- Trim and Chop Fat Use suet, the fat from around a cow's kidneys and loins, and cut it into small pieces.
- Melt Slowly Heat the fat over low heat in a heavy-bottomed pot, stirring occasionally.
- Strain Impurities Pour the melted fat through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove solids.
- Cool and Store Let the tallow cool before transferring it to jars or molds for storage.
Homemade tallow gives you a pure, natural alternative to commercial fats, and can be used in countless ways on the homestead.
Using Tallow on Skin
Tallow closely resembles the natural oils in human skin, making it an excellent moisturizer. It contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, which help nourish and protect the skin. That's one of the reasons I'm interested in developing some new natural beauty items with it. Usually we've used shea butter, coconut oil, or almond oil.
Tallow Face Cream
Tallow makes an excellent base for a rich, nourishing natural face cream. Its similarity to human skin oils means it absorbs quickly to hydrate skin without leaving a greasy residue.
Many homesteaders mix tallow with flowers or herbs to create skin products. Try rose water, essential oils, or herbal infusions to create a gentle, effective moisturizer.
A homemade tallow face cream can help soften fine lines, soothe irritation, and provide lasting protection against harsh weather. Look for our rose tallow face cream recipe to learn how to make your own.
Tallow Balm
We've been making beeswax salve and balms for a while now, and just started with tallow. Homesteaders have used tallow balm for generations to soothe dry skin, chapped lips, and minor cuts. Its nutrient-rich composition provides deep hydration without clogging pores.
You could also use tallow to make a soothing lip balm for chapped lips.
Tallow Soap
The girls and I have been making gardener's soap at home for several years using pour-and-melt goat milk. But I haven't tried making soap with tallow... yet. But it is on my homestead projects list!
Tallow creates firm, long-lasting bars of soap with a creamy lather. It cleanses without stripping moisture, making it a great choice if you have sensitive skin. And making soap from tallow eliminates the need for synthetic ingredients while creating a sustainable, homestead-friendly product.
Making Tallow Candles
Before petroleum-based paraffin wax, homesteaders relied on tallow candles. These candles burn cleanly and last longer than many store-bought alternatives.
To make tallow candles, it's easy to adapt my tutorial on making emergency candles. Just melt the tallow, add essential oils if using, and pour it into a mold with a wick. Using tallow for candles reduces reliance on synthetic materials and helps create a more self-sufficient household.
Using Tallow for Birdseed Cakes and Flock Blocks
The first time I used tallow, I made a birdseed cake. We were making a recycled bird feeder, and I wanted to add a hanging birdseed cake nearby. Soon I discovered another use for it when we got chickens.
Birdseed Cakes for Wild Birds
We found that tallow works well as a binder in homemade birdseed cakes, helping seeds stick together while providing important fats for birds to help them stay warm and healthy in colder months. To make a simple birdseed cake, melt tallow and mix it with birdseed, dried fruit, and crushed nuts.
Pour the mixture into molds or muffin tins, then let it cool and harden before hanging it in a bird feeder. Unlike store-bought suet cakes, homemade versions let you control the ingredients, ensuring a natural and nutritious treat for wild birds.
Flock Blocks for Chickens
Homesteaders can also use tallow to create a homemade flock block for chickens. These blocks provide a long-lasting source of nutrition and enrichment, keeping birds occupied while supplementing their diet.
Combine melted tallow with grains, seeds, dried herbs, and calcium sources like crushed eggshells or oyster shells. Pour the mixture into a mold and let it harden before placing it in the chicken run.
Using tallow in flock blocks helps reduce waste and offers a healthier alternative to commercial options.
Where to Buy Beef Tallow
If you don't have access to suet or don't want to render tallow yourself, consider buying it from a trusted source. Look for grass-fed, additive-free tallow from local butchers, farms, or homesteading suppliers.
Some specialty stores and online retailers also offer high-quality tallow. However, making your own tallow gives you the most control over quality.
Tallow Uses FAQs
If you have questions about using tallow, here are some common ones. If you don't see your question here, leave it in the comments!
Is Tallow Safe for Sensitive Skin?
Yes, tallow is often well-tolerated by people with sensitive skin. Its composition closely matches the skin's natural oils, making it a gentle and effective moisturizer. As with any new skincare product, test a small amount first.
Can You Cook with Tallow?
Absolutely! Tallow is a great cooking fat with a high smoke point, perfect for frying, roasting, and sautéing. It adds a mild, savory flavor to food and serves as a natural alternative to vegetable oils.
Does Tallow Have a Strong Smell?
Properly rendered tallow has a mild, slightly beefy scent that fades quickly. It may not have been rendered correctly or could be rancid if it has a strong or unpleasant odor.
Find More Tallow Uses
Using tallow on the homestead provides a sustainable, practical way to replace synthetic products with natural alternatives. Whether used in cooking, skincare, or candle-making, tallow helps reduce waste and promotes self-sufficiency. By bringing tallow back into daily use, homesteaders can embrace traditional practices that align with a more natural way of living.
